Chapter 5
(SUMMERS HOME)
Tara sat nervously at the Summers home waiting for Willow to return. She had phoned earlier asking Willow if they could meet and talk; both women deciding a familiar comfortable place would be the best. Willow was Tara's world and she truly hoped she could get her to see this and she could use her love to pull Willow up out of the darkness. Willow's love had meant enough to her to fight her way out of insanity but she could only hope her love meant as much to Willow and that it was indeed love rather than an unhealthy obsession.
Willow came into the room with two cold drinks and sat down next to Tara. "You wanted to talk?" She queried looking into the blonde's eyes.
"Willow none of this is easy for me but I want to try and sort through it if we can because no matter what you think I do love you." Tara answered honestly and without a stammer.
"Then answer me this, what was Faith doing at your apartment?" Willow's eyes glinted with jealousy.
"Willow I don't want this to be an interrogation time, I want us to talk things out like adults, like partners." Tara said knowing she would not be able to lie about the reason Faith was there but hoping she could avoid it. "Ask Giles about that if you don't mind." She offered as an answer.
"Tara, why did you leave me? Why did you tell me I'm not your Willow anymore? Do you know how much that hurt?" Willow began delivering questions trying to make her point to Tara of how wrong it was for Tara to treat her this way but Tara held firm.
"Willow I tried so hard to hold on to what we had but you lied purposefully to me. Don't you see what that did to me? Willow you brought me out of my shell and made me believe in myself and that I could be happy. You then shattered it all with lies and dark magic. You broke my trust Willow and if you want to know the truth when you get all dark like that, you frighten me. You tried to taunt me into using magic against you Willow. You see, that is not the you I fell in love with, that is not my Willow." A tear escaped Tara's eyes as she spoke. "If I thought I could fix all of this by taking you in my arms and sharing my love with you again I would do it Willow but it takes two to fix a relationship and it takes you wanting to do it to fix your magic addiction."
Willow looked at her and something inside her knew Tara spoke the truth but something else grew angered wanting to lash out at her. It was the darkness she knew, and it was going to win because she didn't have a strong enough desire to fight it. She pondered why she didn't; shouldn't the love of a magnificent woman be enough to make her want to be Willow again? Was she ever Willow around Tara? Was she ever really in love with Tara or was it the love of someone finally paying attention to her and her only which is what she'd desired all her life. The questions played around in her head till she finally braced herself to speak. "Tara all of my life I've wanted to be accepted and loved, you did both for me eagerly. I wanted someone to care for me, to give me attention and you did that. That helped me get strong and become who I am today so I thank you for that. You see though Tara, those are the things I loved; the things you did for me not you in particular."
The words stung Tara hard and she tried hard to steel herself; knowing it was probably the darkness within Willow speaking. The darkness was trying to remove all that was good in Willow's life but part of her had feared the words Willow spoke for a long time. "Willow I-I I don't believe you. I know you love me as much as I love you."
"It's all an illusion blondie," Amy the former rat said clad in nothing but Willow's night shirt. "When you ran out on her she returned me to human form and we've been having a hell of a time." Amy laughed as tears ran down Tara's face.
"I told you to stay out of this!" Willow said angrily. Her eyes turned black and a snake flew from her hand wrapping itself around Amy.
"Willow stop! Look what you've done to yourself, look what you've done to us!" Tara shouted and Willow retracted the snake.
"Willow doesn't live here anymore my sweet Tara and you will forever be mine!" The angry witch shouted as Tara ran for the door.
"You said you didn't love me, which makes me not yours." She said bravely.
"I love what you do for me, therefore you will be mine!" She lifted her hands towards Tara but a blow to the back of the head sent her to the ground quickly.
"Lets jet blondie," Faith said shoving a sobbing Tara out the door.
As they made it onto the street Tara's body was shaking so badly her knees buckled. "We'll get there faster this way." Faith scooped the young Wiccan up and raced toward the magic box.
(MAGIC BOX)
Giles, Dawn and Anya sat in the magic box waiting when Faith came bursting through the door with an almost incoherent Tara. "Look what your brilliant idea has done to her!" She shouted angrily.
"Tara?" Anya rose putting a hand on the trembling Wiccan. "What happened? Tara is my only real friend here. Did Willow do something to her?"
"Anya why don't you take Tara in the back while the three of us speak." Giles said softly worried about the kind woman and Anya did as asked.
"I'll go first," Dawn offered. "I went on patrol with Buffy, she was quiet, I tried joking and stuff and she responded somewhat so then I came right out and told her she didn't seem like Buffy. She looked at me with this hallowed stare and said I feel like a robot going through the motions, Willow's robot. Then she withdrew more so I dropped it. I don't think she's evil but a shell like or is that wishful thinking." Dawn dropped her head.
"I once didn't think Red was evil either." Faith commented. "She hurt Tara bad, real bad, told her she didn't love her just the things she did for her and those things made her strong and what she is today. Broke the rat spell on Amy too and apparently got a little action on the side."
"I don't think Willow has always been evil but something has happened to her and I fear what will happen to all of us if we don't stop it." Giles said pulling a large leather book off of a shelf. "Faith do take Tara home so she can rest, Anya and I will research."
"Not without me you won't," Xander stated stepping in the door with a bloodied face. "I tried to reason with Willow, got blown through the window with a magical wind for my troubles. If there is a way to save my friend I want to help."
"D, why don't you just come with T and I? It may not be safe for you there right now." As Faith turned to get Tara Buffy walked in.
"Giles put me in the cage please, till you guys figure out a way to stop whatever is wrong. Willow is on a rampage and I joined her happily. Please somebody help me." She dropped to her knees in tears.
"A person without a soul would not act in such a manner," Anya stated bluntly. "It's a trick, Willow's idea probably but it's a trick."
A tear streamed down Xander's face watching his friend but knowing this time Anya was right. "If you really want help Buffy you will come with me and stay there; away from Tara and the research team." Xander challenged though it broke his heart.
"Very well, whatever I have to do to get help," she followed him out as Faith helped the still trembling blonde out.
